Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-S2

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-S2

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S2 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-S2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-S2.
Compare Pentax K-S2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-S2 conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
454g vs 859g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
8.8 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Samsung NX500

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger RAW buffer
9 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Brown)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (White)

All NX500 Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-S2

Body Only (White)

Body Only (White)
Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Black/Orange)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality with high-resolution files; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Fast AF performance; Compact design with good build quality; Better ergonomics than predecessor; 4K video recording.
High ISO noise reduction too strong; AF struggles in low-light; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No option for EVF; No built-in flash (external one included); 4K Video is cropped with narrower FOV.
Read our Samsung NX500 Review

Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs
18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling
Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Samsung NX500

Pentax K-500

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-500

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$597
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Samsung NX500

Pentax K-S1

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Sony A6300

Samsung NX500

Sony A6300

$1600
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$846
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6300

Pentax K-S2

Sony A6300

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$846
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung NX500

Sony A6500

$1600
APS-C

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1198
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Pentax K-S2

Sony A6500

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A6500

Compared to Leica TL2

Samsung NX500

Leica TL2

$1600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$2495
APS-C

Faster JPEG shooting
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

Pentax K-S2

Leica TL2

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2495
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica TL2

Compare Other Cameras?